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Description
This document, dated July 1947, composed by "Individuals Opposed to Exploitation of Indians" characterizes the policies and activities of former Commissioner of the United States (US) Bureau of Indian Affairs John Collier as "impractical," "iniquitous," and "communistic," and claim they have led to "FACTIONALISM, DISSENTION,ENMITY AND HATRED (emphasis in original) among the tribes" (emphasis in original).
The document describes Collier as a "Self-established [...] 'GREAT MESSIAH' of minority groups," and lists six actions taken by Collier during his tenure as Commissioner of the US Indian Bureau, including the Wheeler-Howard Bill, the Inter-American Indian Institute, the National Indian Institute, and inserting Resolution No.10 into the official minutes of the convention of the National Congress of American Indians in Denver, Colorado in 1944, urging the US Congress to appropriate public funds for the expenses of the National Indian Institute.
The report also names D'Arcy McNickle and Ruth Muskrat Bronson as two individuals working for Collier who failed to support bills by indigenous delegates and instead asked for support for the US Bureau of Indian Affairs. The report concludes by stating that Collier has schemed to unite the indigenous peoples with the Bureau in a way that is not compatible with the best interests of those indigenous peoples.
Date of Work
7-1947
Keywords
American Indian Magazine, US Bureau of Indian Affairs, US Indian Bureau, Wheeler-Howard Act, Inter-American Institute, National Indian Institute, US Resolution No. 10, National Congress of American Indians, US House Appropriations, Individuals Opposed to Exploitation of Indians
Organizations Referenced
American Indian Magazine, US Bureau of Indian Affairs, US Indian Bureau, Inter-American Institute, National Indian Institute, US Resolution No. 10, National Congress of American Indians, US House Appropriations, Individuals Opposed to Exploitation of Indians
People Referenced
John Collier, Ruth Muskrat Bronson, D'Arcy McNickle, Mary Roberts Rinehart
Recommended Citation
Individuals Opposed to Exploitation of Indians, "Report on John Collier and His American Indian Policies, July 1947" (1947). Usher Burdick Papers. 205.
https://commons.und.edu/burdick-papers/205